He would be furious with me for hiding this, but if it was the only way, and if fate demanded I keep it a secret, then there had to be a reason. At least I had to believe there was.
I turned my attention to the horizon, to the swirling clouds above, and the lush green forest below. Winding blue rivers reflected the yellow and pink sky as my magic pulsed, the warm, crisp air coating my scales. I was alive, complete. It was the same feeling I always got when I flew.
Why this form?Zara’s voice caressed through my mind, and I shivered forgetting the connection between us was open.
Does it matter?
Why do you care? I thought to myself, and I felt her shrug. I sighed, angling my body 45 degrees as I changed direction. The sun was dipping below the horizon, and I emerged from a cloud bank.
Besides when you tried to impersonate Cynthia, this is the only form I have ever seen you change into.
Are you longing to see me in some other form, little stalker?
Zara was quiet, her thoughts a jumble of questions, but one in particular stood out. I smirked.
Or perhaps you are curious if I am able to shift singular parts of my anatomy?
What? No, that's not—I mean,she stammered, her fluster and embarrassment radiating through the bond. I bit back a chuckle, feeling her mortification.
I think we both know there is no issue where my cock is concerned. You seemed to rather enjoy it as it was the other night. A deep, sensual laugh danced through our bond, and she growled.Or maybe you have some sort of kink I’m unaware of?
I could practically feel her cheeks flushing as I pictured it, and a hum vibrated through my entire body.
This isn't the first time I've been asked. Horns, scales, extra fingers, even tongues. Is there something specific you have in mind, love?
What!? No—that’s not what I meant.
Her sharp, cutting words made me smile as the conversation ended. I could feel her potent jealousy through our bond, mixed with a hint of desire.
We are nearly there.
When she didn’t reply, I closed the barrier between us with a sigh. I felt her annoyance through them at having closed it, but I didn’t care. I spotted the looming cliff, the opening in the trees to the meadow I had been seeking, and started to descend.
Glancing back down at Zara, I laughed to myself as I tucked in my wings and fell from the sky a second time. Zara’s screams were swallowed by the wind, but I felt her fear as she pounded against the barrier between us.
I spread my wings, gliding downwards until I was about twenty feet above the ground. I released Zara, watching her body descend, my earth magic cushioning her landing. Before she could stand, vines sprang from the earth, binding her ankles and wrists.
I flew ahead, circling back a few times to scout the area. Shifting, I landed on one knee before her, and she snarled, her lips peeling back to show her fangs as she thrashed in the binding, “Release me.”
The vines broke, and I winked, turning my back to her.
“We will set up camp, and tomorrow we will—”
She slammed into my back, and I stumbled forward, spinning with a snarl.
“Don't ever do that to me again,” Zara hissed, her teeth clenched. She stood in a fighting stance, fists balled at her sides. I walked towards her slowly, her chin lifting to meet my burning gaze. My arms shot out, and she flinched as my palms wrapped around her upper arm. I yanked her forward, her chest colliding with mine, our faces inches apart. “I will do whatever Iplease.”
She let out a cruel laugh, her eyes simmering. “Like mother, like son, then.”
Shadows ripped from me, surrounding us in a fiery cocoon of darkness. Her eyes widened, and I felt her regret at saying the words, but she had said them, and my rage flared aggressively as I glared down at her. If she had been anyone else–she wouldn't be breathing right now. I forced myself to take a deep breath and withdrew my shadows.
“She isnotmy mother,” I said snarling and pushed away from her, stalking toward the tree line. My magic shot toward her, tying an invisible rope around her waist. It went taut as I took another step and she cried out as she was pulled forward, forced to follow after me.
“Let go of me!” she screamed, and I could hear her futile fighting, her boots dragging in the earth, the thud as she fell backwards. Her nails as they scraped against the earth.
“Fucking—bastard!—Let go of me!—Xavier!—I swear!”
I continued to ignore her, pausing only when I heard her scramble to her feet again before walking onto the path that would lead us to our destination. I heard her charging toward me again, and I spun just as she approached, my palm grasping her outstretched wrist that was moving to strike me.
